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ICC Wins Prominent EU Human Rights Prize

Brussels, Oct. 22 (Jiji Press)--The European Parliament said Thursday that it has selected the International Criminal Court and its staff for the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, recognizing their efforts to defend human rights and democracy. The parliament lauded the ICC's efforts to investigate serious crimes, including war crimes, prosecute those responsible and hold them acco...

On October 22, the European Parliament announced their selection of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its staff for the highly prestigious 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. This award recognizes the ICC's unwavering commitment to defending human rights and promoting democracy. The European Parliament commended the court for its efforts in investigating and prosecuting serious crimes, including war crimes, and holding perpetrators accountable.

The ICC, led by Japan's Tomoko Akane, currently faces sanctions from the United States. Despite these challenges, the court's work in upholding international law and justice has been acknowledged by the European Parliament. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized the significance of the award, stating that it recognizes the ICC's crucial role in safeguarding human rights.

This recognition comes at a critical juncture for the ICC, as it encounters unprecedented obstacles, such as sanctions intended to impede its judicial mandate. The ICC responded to the news in a statement, affirming its commitment to its mission despite the ongoing challenges. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Strasbourg, France, on December 16.

Written by urgent.news from Nippon.com News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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